Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Information on Aug. 28 election, at last

The Colorado Springs City Clerk's Office has finally made information available about the Aug. 28 special election.

We've been surprised that for at least two weeks, there's been nothing on the city's website about the election. Now, the city is outlining how to register (with just four days left) and how the Waldo Canyon Fire victims will need to go about getting a ballot.

The election is about one question only: Should the city lease city-owned Memorial Health System to the University of Colorado Health System for 40 years? Go here to see the lease and other documents surrounding the proposed transaction, including info on the foundation that will spend the proceeds from the lease.

Here's voting information:

On August 28, 2012, the City of Colorado Springs will hold a special municipal election to vote on the request for authorization to lease Memorial Health System to University of Colorado Health. This election will be held by mail-in ballot only. The deadline to register to vote in this election is July 30, 2012. Voted ballots must be received in the City Clerk’s Office or designated drop-off site by 7 p.m. on election night, August 28, 2012. Election Information, Drop-off site locations and Voter registration forms are available at www.springsgov.com/election or at the City Clerk’s Office, 30 S. Nevada Avenue, Suite 101.

Important information regarding mail-in ballots

· Ballots will be mailed the week of August 6, 2012. Ballots cannot be forwarded or held and undeliverable ballots will be sent back to City Clerk's office.· Ballots will be mailed to the address on record for all active voters registered with the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder. Ballots will be mailed to residential addresses unless a mailing address is listed on the voter’s registration.· Any active registered voter who is absent from their home for any reason, qualifies for an absentee ballot. See FAQ section below on requesting an absentee ballot.

Important for those who have been displaced by the Waldo Canyon Fire

· The USPS is holding mail indefinitely at the Rockrimmon Post Office, 5001 Centennial Blvd, for Mountain Shadows residents whose homes were destroyed or whose mail box is not accessible due to fire damage. However, if a resident filed a change of address with the USPS, the ballot will be returned as undeliverable to the City Clerk's Office since ballots may not be forwarded. You have some options:o Update your voter registration mailing address by July 30, 2012o Submit an application for an absentee balloto Visit the City Clerk's Office to obtain a replacement ballot· Visit www.springsgov.com/election for information on how to update your voter registration or obtain an absentee ballot application.

FAQs

ABSENTEE BALLOTS - WHAT IF I AM AWAY FROM MY RESIDENCE WHEN THE BALLOTS ARE MAILED?

If you will be at an address different from your registered address, you can request an absentee ballot be mailed to you at the address you will be staying. A written application must be submitted for each person requesting an absentee ballot.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to the voter is August 21, 2012, or to request it in person, August 24, 2012. Information and Application Forms are available at www.springsgov.com/election or at the City Clerk’s Office, 30 S. Nevada Ave., Suite 101.

WHAT IF I DON’T RECEIVE MY BALLOT?If you are an active registered voter and do not receive a ballot, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (719) 385-5901. If your voter registration is verified and current, we will inform you of the procedure to obtain a replacement ballot.

WHY DIDN’T I GET A BALLOT?Ballots are mailed to all active registered voters at an address within the city limits of Colorado Springs.

If you did not get a ballot, it could be because:

· You moved and did not change your voter registration address; or, you had your mail held or forwarded temporarily because you were out of town(Election Ballots WILL NOT be held or forwarded by the Post Office; they will be returned to the City Clerk as Undeliverable — the exception to this is for Mountain Shadows residents whose homes were destroyed or whose mail box is not accessible due to fire damage — see Waldo Canyon Fire information above)· You live outside city limits· You are not a registered voter· Your voter status is inactive (if you did not vote in the previous November election, your voter registration may be inactive).· You can visit www.springsgov.com/election to learn how to register to vote or update your existing voter registration.

WHAT IS THE DEADLINE FOR RETURNING THE BALLOT?

The ballot must be received in the City Clerk’s Office or designated drop-off site by 7 p.m. on election night (August 28, 2012).

WHAT IS THE POSTAGE REQUIRED IF I CHOOSE TO MAIL MY BALLOT?First class postage, 45 cents, is required for ballots being mailed. If you need to provide a copy of your identification because your return envelope is marked ID REQUIRED, you may need more postage. A 45-cent first-class stamp is only sufficient if your return envelope weighs 1 oz. or less. If in doubt, check with your Postmaster.